Activities on the Gave de Pau

What to do on the Gave de Pau?

The Gave de Pau is a river located in the southwest of France, which originates from the Cirque de Gavarnie in the Pyrenees National Park in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, then crosses the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and joins the Gave d'Oloron where it takes the name of Gaves Réunis before flowing into the Adour in the Landes. Before Luz-Saint-Sauveur, it was called Gave de Gavarnie and Bastan. The Gave de Pau is a very abundant river thanks to the rainfall on the peaks of the Pyrenees in autumn and the melting of the snow in spring. The river also has lush wild vegetation and is home to salmon and migratory birds among other species. The Gave de Pau, by its abundance, is ideal for whitewater sports such as rafting, hydrospeed or canoeing. 

Water sports on the Gave de Pau

Like other rivers where it is possible to do different white water sports, the period between April and October is the best time to sail on the Gave de Pau. Embark on a raft and embark on an adventure. Equip yourself with a helmet and a wetsuit, go discover the Gave de Pau Valley in the heart of the Pyrenees mountains. Suitable for families and connoisseurs alike, rafting on the Gave de Pau is a fun activity that will make you spend a pleasant moment in the middle of an exceptional landscape. You can also choose to be alone on board your boat and instead choose the kayak, where you will learn the basics of kayaking. For the bravest, hold the hydrospeed and learn to use currents and counter-currents to your advantage. The hydrospeed will make you experience a maximum of sensations! 

For hiking enthusiasts, there are several trails. You can thus take the "green lane" which is a path reserved for people on foot or by bike. During this route, you will follow the banks of the Gave de Pau from Laroin to Tarsacq and 13 kilometres long. A walk to do if you want to enjoy the bucolic landscapes of the Gave de Pau. You can also head towards the Lendresse interpretation trail, which begins in the city and ends along the Gave de Pau. This 2.3 kilometre itinerary will take you to discover the secular abbey and the boat ferryboat, the Lendresse park and the banks of the Gave.

The Valley of the Gaves and its surroundings

In its entirety, the Gave de Pau is 193 kilometres long. It crosses the departments of Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Landes. It passes through the cities of Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Argelès-Gazost, Lourdes and Pau and Orthez. The Gave de Pau is part of the natural region of the Valleys of the Gaves. It is possible to start your journey at the source of the Gave de Pau and visit the different cities it crosses. For nature lovers, you will not be disappointed! Thus, stop in Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park where you can visit various churches and the Napoleon Bridge. Then head towards Argelès-Gazost and then towards Lourdes to visit every corner of it. While continuing along the Gave de Pau, it continues to travel to the cities of Nay, Pau and Orthez. Then head for the Landes to the confluence with the Gave d'Oloron and then to its jetty in the Adour a few kilometres further on.